What to bring when you renew in Texas
Texas requires you to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your current driver's license or ID card to renew. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has a specific list of documents they will accept for each category. You cannot renew online or by mail in Texas — you must visit a DPS office in person, which means you need to know what documents satisfy their requirements before you go.
The documents you bring depend on whether you are renewing at age 79 or younger, renewing after age 79, or renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL). Standard renewals and CDL renewals have different document rules. Knowing which category you fall into saves you a trip if you do not have the right paperwork.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring your current Texas driver's license or ID card, plus one document proving your identity and one proving your current Texas address.
- Acceptable identity documents include a U.S. passport, birth certificate, military ID, or naturalization papers; a Social Security card alone is not enough.
- Acceptable residency documents include a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or property tax bill in your name at your current address.
- If you are renewing after age 79, you will need an additional medical report form (DL 43) completed by a licensed physician or optometrist.
- DPS offices do not accept documents by mail or email — you must bring originals or certified copies in person to a Texas DPS office.
Identity documents the DPS will accept
Your identity document must be an original or certified copy. The DPS accepts a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate (with a raised seal or official stamp), a military ID card, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a valid foreign passport with a U.S. visa. If you do not have any of these, you cannot renew at a DPS office.
A Social Security card, school ID, library card, or credit card will not work as your identity document, even if you bring multiple cards together. The DPS requires documents that are issued by a government agency and contain your photograph or are difficult to forge. If your birth certificate is not certified (for example, if it is a photocopy you printed at home), the DPS will not accept it.
If you were born outside the United States and do not have a passport or visa, bring your Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship. If you were born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad serves as your identity document. Military personnel can use a current military ID card.
Residency documents the DPS will accept
Your residency document must show your current name and your current Texas address. The DPS accepts a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or phone), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, an insurance policy, a bank or credit union statement, or a government check stub. The document must be dated within the last 90 days.
If you recently moved to Texas or changed your address, bring a document dated after your move. If you live with someone else and the utility bill or lease is in their name, that document will not work — the DPS requires the document to be in your name. If you are homeless or do not have a permanent address, contact your local DPS office to learn what documents they will accept instead.
A driver's license from another state, a school ID, a library card, or a credit card statement will not work as your residency document. The DPS is strict about this requirement because it verifies that you actually live in Texas and are may have access to to a Texas license.
Your current license or ID card
Bring your current Texas driver's license or ID card to the DPS office. If your license is expired, lost, or stolen, you can still renew, but you will need to bring an additional document. If your license is lost or stolen, bring a police report or a sworn statement (affidavit) that you signed in front of a notary public.
If you cannot locate your current license and do not have a police report, the DPS office can issue you a replacement license at the same time you renew. You will pay both fees — one for the replacement and one for the renewal — so it costs more than a standard renewal. Bringing your current license avoids this extra cost.
Additional requirements if you are over 79
If you are renewing your license after your 79th birthday, the DPS requires a medical report form called the DL 43. This form must be completed by a licensed physician, optometrist, or nurse practitioner and submitted with your other documents. The form certifies that you are physically and mentally fit to drive and that your vision meets Texas standards.
You can read the DL 43 form from the DPS website or pick one up at a DPS office. You must take the blank form to your doctor or optometrist, have them complete it, and bring the completed form to your renewal appointment. The DPS will not renew your license without this form if you are over 79.
The cost of the medical exam is not included in the renewal fee — you pay your doctor or optometrist separately. Some insurance plans cover this exam, but many do not. Call your doctor's office before your appointment to ask whether they charge a fee for completing the DL 43.
Commercial driver's license (CDL) renewal documents
If you hold a commercial driver's license, you need the same identity and residency documents as a standard renewal, plus your current CDL and a medical certificate. The medical certificate is form MCSA-5875, issued by a certified medical examiner. This certificate must be dated within the last 24 months and must be in your possession when you renew.
You cannot renew a CDL more than one year before it expires. If your CDL is expired, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new one, which requires a written test and a driving test. If your medical certificate has expired, you must get a new one from a certified medical examiner before you can renew your CDL at a DPS office.
What happens at the DPS office during renewal
When you arrive at a DPS office with your documents, a staff member will check that you have brought everything on the list. If a document is missing or does not meet the DPS requirements, they will tell you and you will not be able to renew that day. You will need to go home, find the correct document, and return to the office.
If your documents are complete, you will have a new photo taken, answer questions about your health and driving record, and pay the renewal fee. The fee varies depending on whether you are renewing a standard license, an ID card, or a CDL, and whether you are renewing for four years or six years. You can pay by cash, check, or card at most offices, but call ahead to confirm what payment methods your local office accepts.
After you pay, the DPS will issue you a temporary paper license that is valid for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to you. Your new license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. If you need to drive before your new card arrives, the temporary license is your proof of a valid license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Texas license by mail or online?
No. Texas does not offer mail-in or online renewal for driver's licenses or ID cards. You must visit a DPS office in person with your documents. Some states allow online renewal, but Texas requires you to appear in person so they can take a new photo and verify your identity.
What if my birth certificate does not have a raised seal?
A birth certificate without a raised seal or official stamp is not a certified copy and the DPS will not accept it. Contact the vital records office in the state or county where you were born and request a certified copy with a raised seal. This usually costs $10 to $25 and takes one to two weeks by mail.
Can I use a recent credit card statement as my residency document?
No. The DPS does not accept credit card statements, bank statements, or insurance policies as residency documents. You must bring a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or government check stub dated within the last 90 days and showing your current address in your name.
What if I do not have a permanent address in Texas?
Contact your local DPS office and explain your situation. Some offices will accept an affidavit (a sworn statement signed in front of a notary) stating that you live in Texas, along with a letter from a shelter, social service agency, or other organization confirming your residence. Requirements vary by office, so call ahead.
Do I need to bring the original documents or can I bring copies?
The DPS prefers original documents but will accept certified copies for identity documents like birth certificates. For residency documents, bring the original. Do not bring photocopies you made yourself — the DPS will not accept them. If you are unsure whether a copy is certified, bring the original instead.